Obituary for James C. O’Looney James C. O’Looney, 86, passed away on Thursday, June 21, 2018, at his home, surrounded by his loving family. Jim was born at home in Calfmount, County Kerry, Ireland, on May 11, 1932, to Tim and Katie Looney. He attended elementary school in Baraduff and in 1947, at the age of 15 started a seven year apprenticeship at the Killarney Printing Works to become a linotype operator.
Jim played the accordion in a traditional Irish Ceili band at the International Hotel in Killarney, where he met his future wife, Diana Coupe, in August of 1954. They were married on June 30, 1955, in St. Mary’s Cathedral, Killarney. Jim became an American citizen in July, 1986.
In 1958, Jim and Diana settled in Utica, where Jim worked at the Observer Dispatch newspaper. He attended Empire State College, earnings a Bachelor’s degree and later received a Master’s degree in Education from SUNY College of Technology at Utica/Rome. He spent 17 years as a printer and a process camera operator at the OD and 21 years as a member of the faculty of the Advertising Design and Production Department at Mohawk Valley Community College, retiring as a full professor in 1996.
Jim received the following honors: MVCC Excellence in Teaching, the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence and the Excellence Award from the National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development, (NISOD) at the University of Texas in 1993. In October of 2000, he was inducted into the MVCC Hall of Fame. He served as president of the Utica District Club of Printing House Craftsmen in 1985, and was a member of the International Graphic Arts Education Association, and the Graphic Arts Technical Foundation, the Landmark Society and Oneida Historical Society.
He was a member of Historic Old St. John’s Church where he served as a Eucharistic minister. Jim was a founding member, in 1978, of the local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, now known as Craobh Dugan. He served as Vice Chair and Public Relations Officer for several years until 1995 when he served as branch Chair until 2006.
During his tenure as branch Chair, he served as Regional & Provincial Delegates attending various conventions and musical gathering across the country. He was inducted into the CCE Northeast Region Hall of Fame in 2006. He received the Spirit of Ireland award at the Great American Irish Festival in 2008.
He served as Grand Marshal for the Utica St. Patrick’s Day parade in 2009. Jim and Diana maintained close ties to Ireland through Jim’s family connections and their love of Irish music. They opened their home to numerous Irish musicians touring the US and once a week to local Comhaltas musicians for a live music session.
For many years they enjoyed camping and cross country ski trips with special friends. Jim was a devoted husband and is survived by his wife, Diana Coupe O’Looney. He will be forever remembered and greatly missed by his children and their families; Mary O’Looney and her husband, Jacques Pardo and their children, Maya and Sarah Pardo, Katie O’Looney and Caroline Calder, Siobhan and her daughter, Fiona Silver and granddaughter, Malia, Nora and Steve Keating and their children, Chelsea, Ian and his wife, Meghan, Rory and Chloe, Ellen and Scott Hakala and their children, Christopher, Mathew and Maggie Hartman and her husband, Jon and their son, Maxwell, Michael and Annika O’Looney and their children, Luke and Blake, Roisin O’Looney.
He is survived by his brothers, Dan and Tim, Ireland, Jim was predeceased by his brothers, Paddy and John; his sisters, Greta Looney, Hannah Coffey and Nora Moriarty, all of County Kerry, Ireland; his son-in-law, Lewis Silver and grandson, Morgan Silver. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Sunday from 2-5 p.m. at McGrath, Myslinski, Karboski & Nunn Funeral Directors, 470 French Rd. , Utica.
Funeral services will be on Monday at 9 a.m. from the funeral home and 10 a.m. at Historic Old St. John’s Church where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery. Remembrances in Jim’s name may be made to the James O’Looney Photography Scholarship Fund at MVCC or Thea Bowman House.
Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Jim’s family would like to thank Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., for the care and compassion shown to him. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of James C. O’Looney please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events Visitation 2018 JUN 24. 02:00 PM – 05:00 PM McGrath, Myslinski, Karboski & Nunn Funeral Directors 470 French Road Utica, NY, US, 13502 www. nunnandmcgrath.com/ Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before James’ Visitation begins.
Funeral Mass 2018 JUN 25. 10:00 AM Historic Old St. John’s Church 240 Bleecker Street Utica, NY, US Order Flowers for the Funeral Mass Guaranteed delivery before James’ Funeral Mass begins.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
